BREAKING NEWS

03 Mar 2015 - 10:19 am

Paige Alms to Be Featured at Maui Film Festival

The Maui Film Festival chose today, Tuesday, March 3rd, Girls’ Day in Hawai’i, to reveal the name of the first of many announcement of the Celestial Cinema complete ten film line-up. This year’s 16th annual Maui Film Festival will take place from Wednesday June 3rd thru Sunday, June 7th.

PAIGE! Maui born and raised big wave surfer Paige Alms will be featured this year at Maui Film Festival. Photo Courtesy Maui Film Festival)

It is the feature length documentary THE WAVE I RIDE: The Life of Paige Alms, an amazing and stunningly unique look at the life of Maui’s own Paige Alms, acknowledged by surfers around the world as one of the best big wave surfers, male or female, on the planet.

In announcing the film, Festival Director Barry Rivers noted “Since our inaugural year in 2000, the Festival has never revealed even one film this far in advance. But because THE WAVE I RIDE is such a passionate, beautiful and powerful story, about an incredibly committed, centered and strong young woman — who even better yet is Maui born and raised — we fell in love with it and thought Girls’ Day would be the perfect day to make this announcement.”

In 2014 Paige was nominated for the Billabong XXL Women’s Performance Award, being one of the few who has successfully paddled into the wave at Jaws. And many who saw it called the wave she caught at Peahi during this winter’s especially huge swells acknowledge that she caught the wave of the winter this year.

Paige will attend the screening along with the Devyn Bissen, the films director and key members of its production team. In explaning why she chose to produce and direct a film on Paige, Devyn replied “When I first read about her in Surfer Magazine’s article “Boy’s Club,” I knew I found a voice that could inspire young women to seek the courage to follow the passion in their hearts. My deepest desire is that sharing Paige’s story will inspire you to ride yours.”

Along with all the other films, A-List film industry tributes, filmmakers panels and culinary arts celebrations and parties, the day, day and time of THE WAVE I RIDE will be announced after May 1st.

Complete, and constantly being updates on the 2015 Maui Film Festival at Wailea and the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, can be found at www.MauiFilmFestival.com, where Celestial Cinema passes, all other festival passes and Sapphire Circle VIP Patron Passes, and single tickets to all 2015 Special Events are also now available for purchase at special savings of 15 to 25 percent.

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the most recently asked questions submitted to his office staff.

Dear Mayor:

Q: With new infestations of the Little Fire Ants, and with Maui Invasive Species Committee Manager Teya Penniman being quoted as saying they “clearly don’t have enough resources to stop it,” is the County having any immediate success getting more funds? This is clearly a situation where we can’t come back at a later time to solve the problem. If funds cannot be found now, it will be too late for our island: the economy will be hurt and eventually everyone’s life will become a whole lot less pleasant. What is the County doing right now – and can the public do anything to help get Federal or State money for more eradication efforts? How can we help you become the administration that rose to the challenge and didn’t fail the community with inaction?

A: Thank you for your questions and concerns. The presence of Little Fire Ants on our island is indeed something we must take very seriously as this introduced pest could dramatically impact our quality of life on Maui for years to come. This year I addressed the State Legislature and again asked them to provide immediate funding for education, outreach and control of invasive species here in Maui County, specifically the Little Fire Ant (LFA). My legislative liaison, Jock Yamaguchi, has spoken with our Maui legislators, including Speaker Joe Souki and Rep. Justin Woodson to support measures that will adequately fund the DLNR (SB 1046 and SB 544). This funding will be distributed by the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council (HISC) to the individual counties. For many years the County has supported and helped fund the work of the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC), and in fact asked for additional funds this year for rapid response to LFA. To answer your question about what can the public do to get more money for these efforts, you can supply testimony for the State bills online at www.capitol.hawaii.gov. It will also be helpful for concerned individuals like yourself to provide testimony requesting funding for eradication during the County Council’s upcoming budget deliberations.

Hi Mayor:

Q: Safety check is here again. My question is regarding stickers on front and rear windshields. If it’s illegal for stickers on the front or rear windshield, why isn’t it an issue for those vehicles with SHOPO (Police Officers’ Union) and IAFF (Firefighter’ Union) stickers? Most of those vehicles with these stickers have them on the front and rear windshield.

A: You’re partially correct, in that stickers are illegal on the rear window/windshield. However, stickers on the lower right hand corner of the front windshield are illegal only if they exceed 24 square inches in total area. So the front windshield stickers you are referring to fall within the legal limit, as do stickers used by the PUC and Federal and State vehicles. Here is the language of the Maui County Code 10.20.420 – Windshields—Requirements: A. No person shall operate a motor vehicle upon any highway while same has attached to the windshield thereof, stickers or posters or opaque signs of any description exceeding twenty-four square inches in total area, or while it has attached to the rear window or windows thereof any sticker, poster or opaque sign of any description whatsoever. Signs or stickers when placed on the windshield shall be placed only in the lower right-hand corner.

Aloha Mayor Arakawa:

Q: I’ve heard that Maui County gives out water-saving devices for free. If that’s the case how come they don’t give some to their own parks department? I always use the showers at the beach and there is a lot of water wasted there. It seems like you could save a lot of water if the county took advantage of their own advice.

A: Actually, we have installed low-flow shower heads at our County beach parks. We’ve done this again and again. The trouble is that these shower heads are removed time and time again. Apparently many beach-goers prefer the heavy stream of water to wash themselves off, along with any surfboards or other beach gear. Also, some people take the shower heads from pool and beach showers for what I can only assume is for personal use. This is ironic seeing as how the thieves didn’t have to steal anything. They could have just walked into the Department of Water Supply and asked for a low-flow shower head for free. Replacing your old shower head with a low-flow one can save as much as 7.2 gallons per person per day. For more information on the free shower heads, call the Department of Water Supply at 463-3110.

Want to Ask the Mayor?

Submit your questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email: AskTheMayor@mauicounty.gov, phone: 270-7855 or mail: 200 S. High Street, 9thFloor, Wailuku, Hawaii 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the Ask the Mayor column.

01 Mar 2015 - 12:04 pm

Maryland Man Dies in Cove Off Napili

A Maryland man died Saturday while snorkeling in Honokeana Cove in Napili on Maui’s Northwest shore.

According to Police reports, at around noon, Saturday, 72 year-old Montford L. Carpenter was floating – unresponsive – just a few feet from shore when bystanders noticed and pulled him to shore. Good Samaritans began Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on him.

First Responders arrived at the scene and continued lifesaving measures on Carpenter. He was transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition for further treatment.

Carpenter was later pronounced dead despite lifesaving efforts. While drowning is the likely cause, the official cause of death is unknown pending autopsy results. Next of kin was notified of his passing.

28 Feb 2015 - 2:53 pm

Heavy Rain Parked Over North, Central Maui

The National Weather Service has issued a FLOOD ADVISORY for the ISLAND OF MAUI in effect until 5:30 p.m.

This advisory may need to be extended if heavy rain persists.

EFFECTS: At 2:18 p.m. radar showed heavy rain near Huelo. The area of heavy rain was nearly stationary. Other locations in this advisory include but are not limited to: Kanaha Beach Park, Wailuku, Waihee, Waiehu, Spreckelsville, Pauwela, Paia, Hookipa Beach Park, Kahului, and Haiku.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: STAY AWAY FROM STREAMS, DRAINAGE DITCHES AND LOW LYING AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING. RAINFALL AND RUNOFF WILL ALSO CAUSE HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS DUE TO PONDING, REDUCED VISIBILITY AND POOR BRAKING ACTION. DO NOT CROSS FAST FLOWING OR RISING WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE OR ON FOOT. TURN AROUND…DON’T DROWN.

INFORMATION: Maui Civil Defense Agency will continue to monitor the situation. Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or NOAA Weather broadcasts for any updates. NOAA Weather broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-50251-866-944-5025 FREE. NOAA Weather internet services can be found at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl.

Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200.

28 Feb 2015 - 7:19 am

Moloka’i Under Flood Advisory This Morning

The National Weather Service has issued a FLOOD ADVISORY for the ISLAND OF MOLOKAI in effect until 9:30 a.m.

This advisory may need to be extended if heavy rain persists.

EFFECTS: At 6:30 a.m. radar showed heavy rain seven miles north of Kamalo, or about 33 miles northwest of Kahului. The area of heavy rain was nearly stationary. Other locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Kalaupapa and Halawa Valley.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: STAY AWAY FROM STREAMS, DRAINAGE DITCHES AND LOW LYING AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING. RAINFALL AND RUNOFF WILL ALSO CAUSE HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS DUE TO PONDING, REDUCED VISIBILITY AND POOR BRAKING ACTION. DO NOT CROSS FAST FLOWING OR RISING WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE OR ON FOOT. TURN AROUND…DON’T DROWN.

INFORMATION: Maui Civil Defense Agency will continue to monitor the situation. Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or NOAA Weather broadcasts for any updates. NOAA Weather broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025. NOAA Weather internet services can be found at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl.

Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200.

27 Feb 2015 - 7:51 pm

Maui Small Business Awards Single Out High Achievers

WAILUKU – The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and the Maui Chamber of Commerce honored the nominees and winners of the 2015 Mayor’s Small Business Awards on Thursday, February 26 at the King Kamehameha Golf Club.

WINNERS – These Maui business leaders were named best of the bunch in their respective categories. Click to enlarge. (Maui County Photo by Ryan Piros)

The awards dinner was held in partnership with the Maui Chamber of Commerce, and sponsored by Silver Sponsors American Savings Bank and Maui Electric Company; Bronze Sponsors Bank of Hawaii, Employers Options, First Hawaiian Bank and Hawaii USA Federal Credit Union. Applications were scored by judges Debbie Finkiewicz, David Fisher, Richard Kehoe, Tom Leuteneker and Susie Thieman.

The awards were presented in six categories by Mayor Arakawa and Pamela Tumpap, President of the Maui Chamber of Commerce.

“Small businesses are a vital component of Maui County’s economy, and these awards celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit that is alive and well in Maui County,” Mayor Arakawa said. “Business owners take many risks, work long hours and put their personal assets on the line to provide our community with goods and services, as well as much-needed employment. I congratulate each of this year’s nominees and winners, and wish them continued success.”

The 2015 winners were:

Young Small Business Person of the Year: Ginni Madsen, The Maui Mortgage Team

(Nominated by Clifford Wright of Control Freaks Hawaii)

Ginni Madsen owns her own mortgage business and runs a team of individual mortgage loan originators from her Kihei office. Recognizing that many fell on hard times during the recession, she offers 0 point packages where she gets paid upfront by the lender instead of on a commission based on how much she sells. Rather than trying to upsell her clients to increase her commission, Ginni helps people get loans that will save them money and are not beyond their financial means. She truly has a heart to help and genuinely wants to see people get out of debt faster. Ginni is great at communicating, is easily reached, and answers questions in a timely fashion so that clients know exactly what is happening with their mortgage. Additionally, she created the Maui Mortgage Minute on KPOA and KISS to provide the Maui community with tips on what they can do to help save on their mortgages and refinancing needs.

Outstanding Nonprofit Business of the Year: Lanai Community Health Center

In 2012 Lanai Community Health Center’s (LCHC) patient count was 975; by the end of 2014, the patient count increased to 1,402 (a 44 percent increase in the past two years). LCHC is in the process of building their new facility, which is located in the middle of Lanai City. In addition, they have added many services to accommodate the needs of Lanai residents, such as Optometry and Physical Therapy. As the economic picture changes, LCHC adapts, covering services that make sense for Lanai City. For example, they provide services in the evenings and weekends to accommodate patients who work shift hours at the Four Seasons Hotels. They also provide services on a sliding scale to serve low-income residents and those who are uninsured or underinsured. Further, they have a low-cost medicine program to offer patients needed medication at $5/generic and $10/brand. They deliver quality holistic care aimed at the body and mind of their patients and their ‘ohana.

Exceptional Small Business of the Year (10 or fewer employees): Maui Sunseeker, LLC

Chuck Spence (Nominated by Alvin Santander of Bank of Hawaii)

Maui Sunseeker, LLC is the operating company for the Maui Sunseeker LGBT Resort that primarily caters to the discerning LGBT traveler, but welcomes all adults to its location in Kihei. In 2012, when Hawaii civil unions were legally offered to same-sex couples, the Sunseeker marketed its service and arranged over 60 civil unions that year, equating to 6 percent of all civil unions in the state. Since full marriage equality passed in 2013, the ‘Sunseeker’ markets Maui as the ultimate destination for same-sex weddings and honeymoons, even creating their own “Marriage is for Everyone; Say I Do on Maui” video. Their impeccable service and aloha spirit shared with guests has earned the resort TripAdvisor’s coveted Certificate of Excellence for four consecutive years and the resort enjoys 4.5 stars out of 5 thanks to rave reviews from customers.

Exceptional Small Business of the Year (11-35 employees): Rawlins Enterprises, Inc.

Shirley Rawlins (Nominated by Ku‘ulei Arce of Moloka‘i MEO Business Development Center)

Rawlins Chevron is a family business made up of (Aunty) Shirley Rawlins, her daughter Lori Lei Crivello, three other family members and hired employees, for a total of 20 employees. At the main entrance of Kaunakakai town, Rawlins Chevron is beautifully landscaped and shares the joy of upcoming holidays. They are a stop for food, gas, drinks, ice and chat before you head to the beach or head home and allow people to post notices of funerals and fundraising events, as Molokai gets much of its news form the “coconut wireless.” Customer service is very important to them and customers are always greeted with aloha. If it’s not too busy, they’ll also fill you in on the latest fishing catch or fundraising effort. Running a business on Molokai is tough, the cost of living itself is a struggle, but Aunty Shirley and Lori Lei are an awesome team that shows strong business leadership. They support school, community and sports events whenever asked.

Exceptional Small Business of the Year (36-100 employees): Maui Gold Pineapple Company

Darren Strand and Rodrigo Balala (Nominated by Leland Kahawai of First Hawaiian Bank)

With the help of many hands, including a handful of former Maui Land & Pine employees, Maui Gold Pineapple Company was born in January 2010 after Maui Land and Pine closed its pineapple operations in Hali‘imaile. They joined together to preserve the 100-year-old pineapple culture on the island. It is short of a miracle that five years later, this fledgling agricultural company continues to grow. Over 83 highly versatile and skilled workers remain employed and 1,200 acres of agricultural land and open space have been conserved. Over 50% of their current employees have been working in the pineapple industry for more than 30 years. The key to their economic success is attributed to the development of innovative new food processing technologies and mutually beneficial partnerships. The company’s dedication to their product and customer service does not end until the customer is entirely satisfied with the “best tasting pineapple in the world.”

During the last 24 years, Jennifer Brittin-Fulton’s company, Employers Options, has placed thousands of people in permanent jobs. The company has changed many times over the years, but Jennifer really learned to listen to her clients in 2008-2009. Small businesses were seeking more efficiencies and savings from payroll and human resource services and listening allowed Employers Options to offer new solutions and become their trusted HR partner, tripling sales since then. Jennifer ensures that her team has the best training and technology tools available to do the best job possible. For the past ten-plus years, Employers Options has been selected as one of the “Top 25 Women-Owned Businesses in Hawaii” by Pacific Business News. Today, they employ over 1,000 people, are the fourth largest Women-Owned business in the state and the largest on Maui, and also one of Maui’s largest employers.

For more information on awards, grants and programs managed by the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, visit www.mauicounty.gov/OED.